Sarabjit lawyer moves SC to restore review petition

The lawyer of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, on death row in Pakistan, on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court to restore a petition challenging his death sentence, arguing that he was not represented by a counsel when the matter was heard by the court.

The lawyer of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, on death row in Pakistan, on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court to restore a petition challenging his death sentence, arguing that he was not represented by a counsel when the matter was heard by the court.

Awais Sheikh, the new lawyer appointed by Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, said he had filed an application seeking the restoration of the review petition that was dismissed by the apex court on June 24.

"At the time of the hearing, Sarabjit was not represented by a counsel in the Supreme Court. So I have filed an application seeking the restoration of the review petition. I am hopeful that the court will set a date for hearing the matter within a week," Sheikh told PTI on phone.

The apex court had upheld Sarabjit's death sentence while dismissing his review petition last month. His previous lawyer did not attend the hearing as he was then working as a government advocate.

Observers pointed out that the Supreme Court had observed in its ruling that it had "thoroughly studied" Sarabjit's case and found no grounds to review the death sentence given to him by a lower court.

Legal experts believe only President Asif Ali Zardari can now offer a reprieve to Sarabjit by pardoning him or commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment.